I’m going to make this quick, because why beat around the bush? The minors leagues are back and for the first time in years…literally, we have some games to talk about and player performances to highlight. Yours truly, along with the assistance of the extraordinary Mr. Matthew Thompson will be bringing you quick hit notes on the nights games throughout the season. This will likely be a longer post than most, so strap in and get ready as we rundown the top performances of May 4th, 2021.
CJ Abrams 2-for-5 with two doubles
The assignment was aggressive but C.J. is the Honey Badger and he cares very little for your opinions. Great start and one to follow on a nightly basis, Abrams has one of the highest ceilings of any player in the minors.
Wander Franco 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBI
Speaking of high ceilings, Wander looked the part of one of the top young prospects in the game last night collecting three hits in his triple-A debut while also looking like a pitbull playing baseball. He has the build, speed, and athleticism rarely seen in baseball, with hands blessed by god. Wander may have some competition at the top of the prospect rankings, but sometimes there's multiple great prospects playing in the minors at the same time. Feels like we need to remind people of this.
Vidal Brujan 2-for-4 with an RBI, was playing RF.
The move to outfield Matt Thompson spoke about as early as 2019 finally happened, and the Brujan+Franco combo at the top of the Durham lineup is dynamic. Catchers are going to have their work cut out with those two on the basepaths. Brujan is a burner boys and girls!
Josh Lowe 0-for-4 with 4 strikeouts
Womp womp… you didn’t think this was all roses and candy did you? Valentine’s day is in February.
Brett Baty 2-for-4
The full-season debut for the 12th overall pick in the 2019 draft. Mets young stars showed out last night, more on that later. Can you guys quit whining on social now? Of course you can’t you’re Mets fans...
Rony Mauricio 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored
Many questions, including some from yours truly floated around the winter regarding Mauricio’s ultimate upside. While that still remains to be seen, this was a good start.
Riley Greene 2-for-5
Playing in Double-A to start the season, the number five overall pick in 2019 is the only thing Detroit can’t ruin. Seriously everything else is broken in Tiger Town. Okay, I’m exaggerating but if they ruin Tork I swear to god I’m going Michael Douglas Falling Down. Only instead of going on a crazy rage induced rampage I’ll just complain to no one in my basement.
Johan Rojas and Luis Garcia both 2-for-5
This is the age group I was most worried about the 2020 missed season impacting the most negatively. They were stars headed in opposite directions in 2019, perhaps now they can combine their decoder rings to unlock their potential. I’ll take more 2-for-5 performances like last night though. Johan Rojas double had a 102.2 EV
Wenceel Perez 4-for-5 with a homer
Okay, maybe the Tigers haven’t ruined everything. Good to see a guy I missed badly on in 2018 bouncing back a little. This is one of those times where I will act like I was never wrong if Wenceel hits. Those are the rules guys, I am never wrong. Wenceel Perez HR was off the bat at 103.2 and traveled 405 feet.
Matt Manning 5 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 ER, 6 K, 3 HR
Of course Manning gave up five ernies, because it’s the Tigers and none of these pitchers are going to click are they?
Patrick Bailey 3-for-5 with a homer, and 3 RBI
The switch-hitting catcher with the storied amateur career put on a show last night. Oh yeah, no that switch-hitting catcher with that storied amateur career (Adley Rutschman went 0-for-5 with three Ks). Bailey can mash, we told you this in our Giants ranking. The guys bat is super legit, power, approach, and contact skills.
Michael Toglia homered
Cannot wait until the Rockies call him up in 2026.
Ryan Rolison 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 7 K, no longer walks
Sometimes I fall in love with a Rockies pitching prospect, and then they’re called up to Colorado, and I forget they were ever good. We’ll get some first hand looks at Rolison in 2021, we’ll fall for him and then forget he was good in a year. It’s a vicious cycle #JusticeForRockies
Alexfri Planez homered, Jhonkensey Noel, Jonathan Rodriguez too, he had a three hit night
All the little kids growing up on the skids say “Cleveland Rocks! Cleveland Rocks!”. Dem formerly Indians boys putting in work on opening night. Brayan Rocchio went 2-for-4 as well.
Evan Carter playing center
We went from who is this guy, to smelling the jar like it was a foreign food, to naming all our kids Evan. Which could make things confusing. “Evan, can you get me a coconut water? NO NOT THAT EVAN. I mean Evan #3. But seriously Carter looks the part and the reports from within the organization have been impressive.
Gunnar Henderson homered
We told you or did we tell you? Gunnar gon’ mash son! Also played shortstop which is a good sign for his future in the dirt.
MJ Melendez two homers tonight
Anyone else forget this guy existed? His younger brother is a 2021 draft eligible prep, maybe M.J. is looking to remind people he’s the best Melendez.
Is Blake Rutherford interesting? He homered last night. Gavin Sheets also HR, while playing RF. We know White Sox need OFs, these two could force the issue. Rutherford already/finally on 40-man.
Jackson Kowar, 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K, 84 pitches, 49 strikes
The control is suspect as hell, and he often throws uncompetitive secondaries that are easy takes. Will Kowar be the next man up for the surprisingly (TO ME NOT MATT) competitive Royals club?
Bobby Witt Jr, 0-for-5 with 2 Ks
Send him back to A-Ball!
Jordyn Adams 0-for-4 with a K
It’s starting to feel like Jordyn Adams is “Fetch” and we’re trying to make him happen.
Adam Kloffenstein, RHP 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
This is one of those prospect obsessions of other people I don’t quite understand. Kloffenstein is big (6-foot-5, 245 lbs) and has the name of a giant or a downhill skier from Norway. Solidish start but very limited command of anything.
Gavin Stone, RHP 3 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
A 22 year old righty out of Central Arkansas the Dodgers drafted in the 5th last June. I don’t know a ton about Stone frankly, but let’s put it this way. He’s a Dodgers pitcher and he struck out six over three innings. He could be blind and I’d still be in on this profile.
Bobby Miller, RHP 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K
Told you so! All joking aside Miller is #good, he was sitting 97 mph and challenging every batter he faced. This is a mid-rotation arm with number two upside.
Jacob Amaya 1-for-4 homer
A little power in his first game of the season? I can Amaya that… I’m cringing for myself. I was told I was too low on Amaya this off-season. If he’s going to start hitting taters, with those supporting tools. Eh, pobrecito! I better get my head out of my fanny. Did I say fanny?
Ryan Noda 1-for-3 homer
Now with the Dodgers will be a book in 20 years and it will talk focus on Max Muncy and other written off players turned into all-stars. It’s not that Ryan Noda will be Max Muncy, it’s more if anyone can get that out of him it’s the Dodgers. If you like players that get on base and slug, you’re into Ryan Noda and don’t know it.
Alek Thomas 2-for-5
Big boy is in Double-A! We shoved Thomas way up our 2018 lists coming out of the draft and he’s made good. Unlike that whole Kikuchi number one thing.
Osiris Johnson 2-for-3, HR, SB, Walk and 2 RBI
The Osiris of this sheeeet! Osiris was loud as can be with the Slam and Legs. If I’m adding a guy to my watch list for the season it’s Osiris. That’s a loud profile with bat speed and supporting tools. Those guys make it.
Eury Perez 3 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 4 K
Perez averaged 95 with the 4-seamer, T97. 2655 RPM. Also throws a change, curveball and sinker.
Francisco Alvarez 4-for-5, R, 2 RBI, BB hitting third.
Max EV of 108.7 yesterday, still trails teammate Shervyen Newton who squared a pair of balls up at 108.9 and 107.9 respectively.
Tyler Nevin 2-for-4, homer
Sometimes players pop-up, rush up lists, and crash just as fast. Nevin lead the Arizona Fall League in 2018 in every slashline metric. He then looked lost in 2019 at Hartford and was subsequently shipped out to Baltimore in the Mychal Givens trade. Baltimore is a far better development spot that Colorado. Then again who isn’t? Regardless Baltimore is on the cutting age of swing based data (blast motion etc) this is another name to watch. Development isn’t linear my friends.
Jesus Sanchez 2-for-5, HR, 5 RBI
I’ve long believed that Jesus Sanchez was the man to watch as the high fastball revolution took off. He has a ton of raw juice and a flatter attack angle, which allows him to hit high fastballs, very hard.
Lewin Diaz 2-for-5, homer, 3 RBI
There’s this worry with all productive first base only types that it may never click on the major league level. It’s a rough profile, you have to hit, because elite first base defense, unlike up the middle positions, isn’t going to keep you in the lineup. Diaz falls in this group. He’s hit in the minors but his MLB debut was disappointing. He’ll get another shot this year.
Zach McCambley 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K
We caught McCambley down the Cape in 2019 and he was one of the better arms we saw. The curveball is a monster, a legit plus hammer at 80-83 mph and he pairs that with a fastball with good shape and some velocity projection remaining. Not a tremendous first start but he showed the ability to miss bats.
Garrett Mitchell 1-for-3, R, BB
I’m going to be wrong about this guy. I can feel it in my bones. I need to see more power in game, frankly. Mitchell is like a top five follow for me this season. If it goes right and the juice in the bat shows in game, he’s a star in the making.
Hayden Cantrelle 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB
The Microwave! Hayden Cantrelle is instant offense, full stop. Arguably the most electric player on the Cape in 2019, Cantrelle has advanced approach, showing the knack to work deep in counts, and get on base. He’s got plus wheels and he knows how to put them to work once on base. He’s got some juice in the bat too, though the path a year or two back wasn’t totally conducive for over the fence power. An on base machine, that can shoot the gaps and make plays with his legs.
Edouard Julien 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
War Damn Eagle! Julien is one of those guys with some offensive skills but questions about if it all will ever click.
Keoni Cavaco 1-for-3, 2 BB, RBI, R
Well, welcome back Keoni! This is one of those guys that might have finally clicked over the last year. Lot of loud tools but a lack of cohesiveness in game. If that’s come together with some extra work over the past 20 months I’m intrigued. Not back in, but intrigued.
Trevor Hauver 3-for-4, 2 homers, 2 BB, 3 RBI
Hauver was hitting missiles all over Tampa yesterday with three balls over 100 MPH, with his two homers reaching 103.5 and 101.9 MPH
Austin Wells 2-for-4, homer, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB played catcher
Wells homer left the yard at 99.7 MPH. One of the stars of the 2019 Cape Cod League, Wells can mash. It’s just a matter of whether or not he sticks at catcher. The Yankees obviously believe he can, if he can get to fringe-average back there he’s a future all-star. No hyperbole, the bat is trill.
Anthony Volpe 2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2B, 3B
Here’s Anthony Volpe professional baseball player and he’s far less famous than former high school teammate Jack Leiter. Brian Sakowski believes Volpe is a #Dude. I trust Brian. He knows stuff.
Matt Sauer 3.1 IP, H, 3 BB, 6 K
The under the radar Yankees arm sat 94-95 with the heater. He’s coming off Tommy John Surgery sort of. He’s two years removed from surgery actually but, you know, 2020 not having a minor league season thing means we have not seen Sauer in a long time. That velocity is good to see, he’s got a bevy of secondaries too.
Jordan Walker 2-4 with a homer
Now this is fun to see! Walker has serious juice in the bat and he’s a really bright kid. There’s few guys easier to root for than Walker. Likely to have some swing and miss but he will put on laser shows when he makes contact.
Masyn Winn 0-4 with three strikeouts.
Playing exclusively SS for now. Interesting development, I actually like Winn more as a position player, he mechanics were troubling with a serious head knock. The bat is loud and I believe he would have broken out had there been a normal draft spring.
DL Hall- 4 ⅓ 2 H 0 ER 2 BB 10 K and Grayson Rodriguez- 4 IP 1 H 0 ER 2 BB 5 K
The Orioles have arms! This is just a reminder for everyone who might have thought we were crazy this off-season. Grayson and Hall are a dynamic duo, both are loud but Rodriguez’s profile presents far less reliever risk.
Corbin Carroll- 1-4 2 Ks, also had an Error and OF assist.
We checked this game out during our watch party last night on YouTube and it was an uneven showing. The skills are there and he leaves the box like he was shot out of a cannon. Carroll is one of our favorite talents in the minors.
Blaze Alexander 2-4, HR, 2 RBI. Was playing SS.
Here me now! Blaze looked #good. This is no joke, bat speed, athleticism, power, good swing decisions and strong play up the middle. This was a talented amateur that fell by the wayside a bit in his full season debut. Another guy to pencil into your watch list.
Luis Frias- 5 IP 3 H 1 ER 3 BB 6 K
For the first few innings Frias was bullying the Everett lineup including uber-prospect Julio Rodriguez. His fastball command gloveside is sharp making him a tough at bat against left handed hitters and right handed bats that like to chase off the plate. The secondary stuff is solid but not great, and his body is maxed out. Still a lot to like even if it’s likely a backend starter or middle relief arm.
Michael Harris II- 3-4 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 SB
The most talked about prospect this off-season is Michael Harris. Seriously, he has love from all corners. Plus the Braves fanbase is very in tune with their top talents on the farm. Harris has a five tool profile with a lot of praise from team sources. Top 100 player with a bullet.
Austin Martin- 2-4. Making professional debut while playing CF in Double-A.
This is one of the thing I (Geoff) am most excited about this spring. I get to watch Martin, Jordan Groshans, and SWR in person. This is a loaded squad in Nee Hampshire this Spring into Summer.
Gabriel Moreno- 3-5 with a 2B, 2 RBI
How could I forget Moreno? One of the most underrated catching prospects in the minors, he can hit and defend and the double-A assignment shows me he has the belief of the organization.
Gabriel Arias- HR in is Indians debut with Triple-A Columbus
He can defend with the bets of them, and he’s always had pop, but can he hit enough to make it at the big league level? Remains to be seen but he’s still very young at 21 years of age and Triple-A is an aggressive assignment.
Nate Pearson- 3 ⅔ IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K.
Big Hoss has to eat! It’s not a matter of if but when we see Pearson back at the major league level. It’s a matter of holding his stuff and hitting his spots for five to six innings. If he can do that he’ll be a frontline starter.
Liover Peguero- HR and BB
Power and speed with loud tools! What’s not to like? A homer in his High-A debut is a great sign of things to come. This was his full-season debut and he’s 20! Let’s go!
Roansy Contreras- 5 IP 5 H 0 R 0 BB 11 K
I love this arm! Great fastball shape, good secondaries, athleticism and some unique analytical characteristics (low release, fastball shape, secondary shape)
Spencer Torkelson- 0-for-3, 3Ks. Played 3B.
I’m not nervous. Are you nervous?
Gage Workman- 2-for-4, hitting third and playing SS
Workman had the two hardest hit balls of the game. His pair of singles traveled 110.1 and 106.3 off the bat. Insane athlete and defender with some serious juice.
Willie Joe Garry Jr.- 1-for-3 with a HR and two BBs
The centerfielder and leadoff hitter for the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels (that’ll take some getting used to) had the hardest hit ball that we have data for on the night, leading off the game with a 415 ft homer that went a whopping 111.5 off the bat. Garry has always had some power and speed but his approach has been so bad he has struggled to use both in games. Hopefully we see some more of this because it’ll be fun to have Willie Joe Garry Jr. in the big leagues.